Stephentown Library
I’ve been to Stephentown Library before, but I remembered being smaller. When was it renovated? Apparently 11 years ago.
Did you know that there is only one Stephentown in the world?
I encountered a sign proclaiming that, and it was still 5 miles before I reached the library. I had gone past Nassau and Sand Lake and my son’s summer camp and some cows grazing on a front lawn and a Tardis and was beginning to feel things were a bit surreal when I finally arrived. Across the street is athletic fields and a beautiful view of the hills. (A cursory internet search has not refuted the claims of the sign- let me know if you know of another Stephentown)
Behind the building is a huge tent with tables, it looks like a lovely place to do summer reading activities. The kite stuck in a tree is a story that needs to be told- how did it get there? How long has it been there?
I was a few minutes early, just before their noon opening time, and I was happy to see the delivery van. The library couriers are the invisible arteries that join our libraries together- you can return a book to one library and they will send it home, you can ask for a book from any of the libraries at get it at the one most convenient one to you. I never get to see our driver, he comes in early in the morning and leaves boxes of books like a house elf. We appreciate you guys!
Anyway. Stephentown Library is spacious and cozy, if that makes sense. There is plenty of room to move around, but also lots of places to sit and relax.
The children’s area has a “tunnel” (actually a hallway) that has been painted to look like you are swimming through the ocean, and has a row of book packs you can borrow hung neatly on hangers.
There is a little room perfect for young children and parents. It would be great for breastfeeding, but the chair is a little too low to the ground/unsupportive. Nursery rhymes on laminated cards are hung on the walls. (In the adult nonfiction, poetry is displayed the same way.)
This was a neat idea- the picture books have the author spine label repeated in big letters at the top of the book, preventing eye strain while shelving/searching.
Stephentown Library would be a great stop if you were on your way to the Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts, or coming back from 6 Flags New England. If you are touring multiple libraries, it would be the start of a beautiful drive up route 22 to get to the Petersburgh, Berlin, and Hoosic Falls libraries, especially during fall foliage season. If you arrive when they are closed, they have a “little free library” in front of their building.
Jane is visiting all 36 locations of the Upper Hudson Library System (see introduction)
